August 26, 2010

Kyung Mi’s eyes fluttered open at the first light of dawn, and a soft smile curved her lips. Today was her birthday, and it held the promise of something extraordinary. The grand opening of her performance cafe awaited her—a dream she had nurtured with unwavering passion. As she reached for her phone, she discovered a cascade of heartfelt birthday messages from friends. Among them was a surprise: a message from her cousin, Inyoung, whom she hadn’t heard from in ages.

With a sense of anticipation, Kyung Mi initiated a video call.

“Mimi-ah!” Inyoung’s face appeared on the screen, and Kyung Mi’s heart swelled with affection.

“Inyoung Eonnie!” Kyung Mi’s voice held a mixture of joy and longing. 

Inyoung’s eyes softened. “I’ve missed you, Mimi-ah. It’s been what? A year?”

Kyung Mi nodded. “A year too long, Eonnie. Imo told you I’m back in Korea?”

Inyoung’s expression turned apologetic. “Yes, she did. Why didn’t you tell me you were back?”

Kyung Mi hesitated, then confessed, “I’ve been consumed by the Cafe. It’s my passion project, and time slipped away.”

“A Cafe?” Inyoung’s curiosity piqued. “Tell me more.”

“Today is the grand opening,” Kyung Mi revealed. “I thought celebrating my birthday and the Cafe’s launch together would be magical.”

Inyoung’s eyes sparkled. “Where is it? I want to be there. I’m free today.”

“In Mapo-gu,” Kyung Mi replied, her heart dancing. “I’ll message you the address.” She couldn’t resist sharing a secret. “You know, I saw Jungsoo Oppa the other day. He didn’t recognize me.”

Inyoung’s laughter tinkled through the screen. “You watched their concert?”

Kyung Mi blushed. “My best friend surprised me with tickets. But I can’t tell her that Jungsoo Oppa is my cousin.”

Suddenly, another face appeared beside Inyoung—Jungsoo Oppa himself, pouting playfully.

“Uhm, hi Oppa,” Kyung Mi greeted, her pulse quickening.

“That’s not fair, Mimbap,” he teased, using the nickname only he knew.

“Yah! Oppa! Stop calling me that!” Kyung Mi protested, her cheeks flushing.

He leaned closer to the screen. “I won’t stop because you didn’t tell me you’d be at the concert.”

“Mianhe, Oppa,” Kyung Mi whispered. “I didn’t want to disturb you.”

His eyes softened. “Well, I have no schedule today. Let’s go to the Cafe together.”

Kyung Mi’s heart soared. “But what if people recognize you?”

“It’ll be fine,” he assured her.

As the call ended, Kyung Mi felt a flutter of excitement. The Cafe awaited, her heart sang with a secret melody, and love lingered in the air.

“Bye, Eonnie! Bye, Oppa!” she whispered, knowing that this day held magic beyond her wildest dreams.